Head-to-head reliability
Honda Civic vs Honda Pilot
How the Honda Civic and Honda Pilot compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Honda Civic vs Honda Pilot: The Civic averages 370.5 complaints per year, with steering issues dominating (1907 complaints), while the Pilot averages 287.0 complaints per year, with engine problems leading (795 complaints). The Pilot has more recalls (66) than the Civic (20). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Civic or Honda Pilot more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic, over the past decade, has been a popular compact car, but its reliability record is marred by a high volume of complaints, averaging over 370 per year. The most striking issue is with the steering system, where owners describe a 'sticky' or stiff wheel that can suddenly release, creating a serious safety concern. Electrical problems, such as air conditioning failures and a body control module that can turn on the ignition by itself, also appear frequently. While the Civic has had 20 recalls, the sheer number of complaints suggests that owners may face recurring issues, especially with steering and electronics.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot, a midsize SUV, has a lower complaint rate than the Civic, averaging 287 per year, but it still has significant reliability concerns. Engine problems top the list, with reports of oil leaks, gas leaks, and sudden warning light cascades. Electrical system issues are also common, including instances of the steering wheel locking and unexpected rapid deceleration. The forward collision avoidance system is a notable source of complaints, with owners reporting false activations and even a failure to stop. With 66 recalls, the Pilot has a higher recall count, indicating a pattern of systemic issues that may require multiple dealer visits.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Civic | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,705 | 2,870 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 66 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 203 | 58 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 370.5 | 287.0 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 140 | 52 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Honda Civic
- 01STEERING1,907
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER494
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM324
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE255
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM215
Owners report the steering wheel becomes 'sticky' or stiff, requiring extra force, and then suddenly releases, especially on the highway. This can cause overcorrection and is a serious safety hazard.
The air conditioning system often fails due to refrigerant leaks at the evaporator, leading to weak cooling. Additionally, the body control module (BCM) can malfunction, causing the ignition to turn on by itself.
The collision mitigation braking system frequently activates when the road is empty, causing sudden, unnecessary braking. This can surprise the driver and increase the risk of being rear-ended.
Fuel pump issues have been a subject of recalls, and owners may experience problems with fuel delivery, potentially causing stalling or difficulty starting.
“My steering gradually stiffens then suddenly releases while traveling the highway. It cycled this way during the entire trip. It acted this way for the first time Oct 22, 2025 on the outgoing part of my hour long trip. It acted this way the second time Oct 25…”
“The steering wheel becomes "sticky" and requires more force than usual to move it to the right or left. This is particularly noticeable when driving in a straight line, and the issue becomes apparent after driving for roughly 10 minutes. This causes an overco…”
Honda Pilot
- 01ENGINE795
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM736
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER473
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE406
- 05POWER TRAIN303
Engine failures are reported, including oil leaks, gas leaks, and a cascade of warning lights. Some owners describe the vehicle as 'not safe to drive' due to these issues.
Multiple warning messages can appear suddenly, including steering system warnings, and the steering wheel may become extremely difficult to turn or lock. Unexpected rapid deceleration without warning is also reported.
The Collision Mitigation Braking System can activate falsely, and in one case, the car failed to stop when the brakes were applied, leading to a crash. Auto Idle Stop is also criticized for lunging on restart.
Transmission or drivetrain issues may cause hesitation or jerking, and the Auto Engine Idle Stop can fail to restart properly, causing a lunge forward.
“Vehicle: 2026 Honda Pilot – Mileage 20,847 Issue: Engine Failure, oil leaks, wheel alignment, air conditioning, major gas leaks from the engine, safety electronics alerts on front dash display are saying the vehicle is not safe to drive. History of issues: 03…”
“On June 25, 2026 my 2025 Honda Pilot Elite (47,503 miles) upon ignition had every warning light in the system illuminate sequentially without any prior incident. I had never experienced any indication of malfunction, including warning lights or messages. The…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Honda Civic — 20 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeli…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, w…
The risk: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Honda Pilot — 66 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this r…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
The risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2026 Pilot and Passport vehicles. The rear subframe bolts may have been tightened improperly.
The risk: Loose rear subframe bolts can lead to a loss of vehicle stability or rear subframe detachment, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehic…
The risk: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall ar…
Buyer analysis
Honda Civic or Honda Pilot: which should you buy?
The Honda Civic has more complaints per year (370.5) than the Honda Pilot (287.0), but the Pilot has more recalls (66 vs 20). In practice, the Civic's steering issues are a major safety concern, while the Pilot's engine and electrical problems are more varied. Neither is without risk, but the Pilot's lower complaint rate may offer slightly fewer headaches, though its higher recall count suggests more frequent dealer visits.
Key differences
- The Civic has a much higher complaint rate for steering (1907 complaints) compared to the Pilot's engine (795) and electrical (736) issues.
- The Pilot has more recalls (66) than the Civic (20), indicating a broader range of potential defects.
- The Civic's steering issues are specific and potentially dangerous, while the Pilot's problems are more diverse, including engine and electrical failures.
- The Pilot has a higher number of forward collision avoidance complaints (406) than the Civic (255), suggesting more false activations or failures.
- Test the steering at highway speeds for any stiffness or stickiness, and check for any steering-related recalls.
- Inspect the air conditioning system for weak cooling, and ask about any prior repairs to the evaporator or condenser.
- Check for any engine oil or gas leaks, and ask about any warning light incidents.
- Test the forward collision braking system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't activate falsely, and verify the auto idle stop works smoothly.
Before you buy
- Check the vehicle's recall status on the NHTSA website and ensure all recalls have been performed.
- Take the car for a test drive on the highway and pay attention to steering feel and any unexpected braking.
- Ask for service records, especially for steering, electrical, and air conditioning repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine for leaks and the electrical system for any signs of malfunction.
- Research the specific model year for any known issues and owner complaints.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Honda Civic | Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 10 |
| 2025 | 89 | 172 |
| 2024 | 257 | 106 |
| 2023 | 577 | 128 |
| 2022 | 877 | 134 |
| 2021 | 139 | 412 |
| 2020 | 218 | 475 |
| 2019 | 348 | 500 |
| 2018 | 598 | 433 |
| 2017 | 578 | 500 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Honda Civic or Honda Pilot in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Civic vs Honda Pilot
- Honda Civic total complaints
- 3,705
- Honda Pilot total complaints
- 2,870
- Honda Civic total recalls
- 20
- Honda Pilot total recalls
- 66
- Honda Civic avg complaints/year
- 370.5
- Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
- 287.0
- More reliable overall
- Honda Pilot
- Honda Civic top complaint area
- STEERING
- Honda Pilot top complaint area
- ENGINE